SOC: Hat trick spectacles earn UBC, UNBC players weekly honours

CALGARY – Northern British Columbia's Michael Henman and British Columbia's Katalin Tolnai were named the Canada West Soccer Players of the Week by the conference on Tuesday.

Henman accomplished a feat the conference has not seen in at least 16 years, as far back as the record books recall.

He started the weekend hungry, heading in a corner kick just minutes into the Timberwolves' first game against Victoria Friday evening. After the Vikes tied it up, Henman wasted no time in striking back, jumping on a pass flicked into the box.

The fourth year striker added an insurance marker in the second half to secure his hat trick and lead the Timberwolves to their first win of the season.

He wasn't done there.

Henman grabbed the spotlight again Sunday in the rematch, as the only player to record a goal on either team. But he didn't just record one. He again notched three goals, becoming the only player in the CW record books (dating to 2006) to post back-to-back hat tricks.

The Henman Show ended the weekend with six goals, seven shots and six shots on goal. ​

His two hat tricks are also the first recorded in a single CW season since 2018.

The Timberwolves (2-1-1) will be back in action Friday, as they travel to Kamloops to take on the Thompson Rivers WolfPack (3-1) at 7:45 p.m. local time. You can catch the game exclusively on Canada West TV.

Game log:
​Sept. 2: 3 goals, 4 shots, 3 SOG in 4-1 W vs VIC
​Sept. 3: 3 goals, 3 shots, 3 SOG in 3-0 W vs VIC

Earlier in the week, Tolnai took a tough 1-0 game against the Victoria Vikes and turned it on its head in mere minutes shortly into the second half.

Tolnai took a feed from teammate Danielle Steer and buried it with authority, scoring high over the goalkeeper's head, giving her no chance on the play.

Five minutes later, Tolnai stole a pass, cut down the middle with four Vikes in pursuit and scored far-side with a perfectly placed kick.

Soon after, the third-year midfielder rushed to a lob pass and headed it home to score her third goal in just over seven minutes.

Those scores changed the tide of the game as Tolnai led the Thunderbirds to their third straight win of the season. Her feat showed the league her ability as an instant game-changer.

With the impressive hat trick, Tolnai became the 20th player in CW history (dating to 2006) to record three goals within a half.

UBC (3-0) will be back in action Friday as they welcome the Alberta Pandas (1-1) at 5 p.m. local time. You can catch the game exclusively on Canada West TV.

Game log:
​Sept. 1: 3 goals, 5 shots, 4 SOG in 4-0 W vs VIC